Wouldn't the normal replacement pool, plus general reserve, plus TRACOM, need to be empty before the game will allow you to pull from the school pipeline?
No. If you select "Replacement" as the pilot option, the get next pilot will pull from the general pilot replacement pool only. If that's empty, it starts pulling from the guys in school.
Maybe beating a dead horse here, but how large is the Japanese general pilot replacement pool in a Scenario 2 game, by Jan 1944 and then on into 1945? In my Allies Scen 2 game in summer of 1942, it's over 3000 pilots, even with an aggressive training program and hundreds swept into the general reserve already. By kami-time, are there enough aircraft to empty a Japanese general replacement pool and avoid the HI hit?
India: Brad is landing troops in a variety of spots. Previously, he landed 6th Guards Division on the southwest coast. Over this two-day period, he landed an infantry regiment and tank unit at the undefended base south of Viz, plus 2nd Division at Diamond Harbor. SigInt indicates that 4th Division, late from Clark Field, is aboard a Maru heading for Chittagong. I am puzzled. Brad is not concentrating his forces. 2nd Division isn't strong enough to take Diamond Harbor and 4th Division alone won't be enough to take Chittagong, though he could be bringing more troops to both bases. By why spread out divisions hither and yon instead of landing in force and going for the jugular? (Those of you reading Brad's AAR will know, but please don't use that knowledge to comment in here.) Perhaps he's landing strong detachments along the perimeter and will then land a massive force somewhere. That's the only plan that makes sense to me. That Brad shifted 4th Division from Allied-held Clark Field suggests that he is truly committing everything available to India. I am pretty close to deciding that there is no longer a major threat to India and Australia, so that I can begin to move units forward from their current positions.
India Reinforcements: The first transports have arrived at Karachi and more will come into port tonight. I'm sweating the possibility that a Japanese combat TF will show up, but the KB has moved far to the south and is no longer an immediate threat. Given two more days, the Allies will have most of a British division ashore, and the India defenses will be considerably stronger. A few weeks ago somebody suggested that I use the RN carriers as a diversion to distract the KB in order to get my reinforcements ashore. I expressed a belief that I might be able to do so without revealing the position of my carriers, and I think that hunch is about to be realized.
NoPac: The transports carrying a Marine regiment to Attu Island will arrive in about two days. As noted previously, I consider the thus far bloodless operations in the Aleutians to be an important Allied victory even though there has been no opposition. SigInt shows just 5,129 enemy at Paramushiro.
Guessing Games: I keep wondering how the totaly absence of the Allied carriers might be impacting Brad. I think it's got to mess with his imagination a bit, and that his sense of foreboding will increase as time goes on. I'm hoping it makes him reluctant to keep the KB stationed in one corner of the map too long. I hope his sense of unease about NoPac and the DEI will increase. I can't count on any particular situation developing, but I would be suprised if there haven't already been some benefits, with the situation becoming more acute as time goes on.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Up until this moment I haven't assigned any operation names in the game, nor have I even contemplated a theme. Encouraged by your question, it's time to change that.
In previous games I've used scientific names of trees, space, and Civil War battles as themes. This time I think I'll use the Revolutionary War as the theme. With that in mind, here are the first two Allied operations worthy of names:
Operation Eutaw Springs: The Allied effort to occupy, secure, and defend the islands of the Western Aleutians.
Operation Bemis Heights: The Allied effort to reinforce and successfully defend India.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
India Invasions: Additional IJA troops came ashore at Diamond Harbor (2nd and 21st Divisions, 1st Guards Regiment, tank unit). The Chittagong invasion consists of 4th and 38th Divisions. That's five divisions now ashore in India, but they are widely scattered. Brad does have enough to take both bases, though it may take a few turns to reduce forts. Then it should take a bit longer to reduce Calcutta. These moves are, of course, a concern, but I would be far more concerned about a concerted effort to land near Bombay to move on the Karachi area. With five divisions already ashore and very far from what I consider the critical area, I'm beginning to wonder whether Brad can put enough troops ashore to really threaten NW India at this time. He could still bring another four to six divisions ashore someplace, but the Allies have 300 AV at Bombay, 650 at Surat, 350 at Ahmadenabad, and 350 at Karachi. In addition, a British division will be mostly ashore at Karachi tomorrow, barring an extremely unlucky IJN combat TF strike tonight, and the Allies have forces scattered throughout southern and eastern India. I much prefer a drawn out campaign in southern and/or eastern India to a massive invasion of northwestern India.
Combat Ships: Hyuga, Ise, Yamashiro, and Fuso are involved in the NE India landings. I've lost track of the KB, but believe she's somewhere off the southern tip of India. I have established a picket line of ships angling SW from Bombay, so I feel reasonably safe in sending ships into Karachi.
Counting Divisions: As the India invasion continues to develop, I'll keep careful count on the number of divisions present. If it becomes apparent that Brad is throwing everything into India in order to vanquish the subcontinent, that might open oppportunties for the Allies in other sectors. It will take Brad time to redeploy divisions and ships to meet needs in the Pacific. I just wonder if he isn't going to be pulling out his hair as time passes and his forces remain committed at the "far edge of the map." Is he rolling the dice, gambling everything on India? I don't know yet, but I'm evaluating things as they develop.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
India Invasions: Additional IJA troops came ashore at Diamond Harbor (2nd and 21st Divisions, 1st Guards Regiment, tank unit). The Chittagong invasion consists of 4th and 38th Divisions. That's five divisions now ashore in India, but they are widely scattered. Brad does have enough to take both bases, though it may take a few turns to reduce forts. Then it should take a bit longer to reduce Calcutta. These moves are, of course, a concern, but I would be far more concerned about a concerted effort to land near Bombay to move on the Karachi area. With five divisions already ashore and very far from what I consider the critical area, I'm beginning to wonder whether Brad can put enough troops ashore to really threaten NW India at this time. He could still bring another four to six divisions ashore someplace, but the Allies have 300 AV at Bombay, 650 at Surat, 350 at Ahmadenabad, and 350 at Karachi. In addition, a British division will be mostly ashore at Karachi tomorrow, barring an extremely unlucky IJN combat TF strike tonight, and the Allies have forces scattered throughout southern and eastern India. I much prefer a drawn out campaign in southern and/or eastern India to a massive invasion of northwestern India.
Combat Ships: Hyuga, Ise, Yamashiro, and Fuso are involved in the NE India landings. I've lost track of the KB, but believe she's somewhere off the southern tip of India. I have established a picket line of ships angling SW from Bombay, so I feel reasonably safe in sending ships into Karachi.
Counting Divisions: As the India invasion continues to develop, I'll keep careful count on the number of divisions present. If it becomes apparent that Brad is throwing everything into India in order to vanquish the subcontinent, that might open oppportunties for the Allies in other sectors. It will take Brad time to redeploy divisions and ships to meet needs in the Pacific. I just wonder if he isn't going to be pulling out his hair as time passes and his forces remain committed at the "far edge of the map." Is he rolling the dice, gambling everything on India? I don't know yet, but I'm evaluating things as they develop.
First, I have banned myself from Q-Ball's AAR; so I have no idea what he is up to at thi moment. I am wondering if he is trying to lure you into a trap though. Perhaps he is threatening multiple axes hoping you will drive south to meet him. Then he will land the additional divisions behind you. Just a thought
"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
By kami-time, are there enough aircraft to empty a Japanese general replacement pool and avoid the HI hit?
Number of aircraft is irrelevant, as you can pull as many pilots out of training school as you want independent of number of airframes.
Whether anyone would want to do all the clicking required is a different question. We play turn based strategy games for a reason [8|]
We now return you to your regularly scheduled AAR.
If you can do one more post on this, can you tell me how? Every day I have things I've missed in the interface and screens pointed out to me. Playing the Allies, the only way I can see to pull pilots out of school early is to put them into actual air units. There are group limits above the number of airframes where you can pull in extra pilots, but they're not infinite. More like 130% of allowed aircraft.
If I've missed a way to do what you say please let me know. I'm interested if I've missed something major.
ORIGINAL: vettim89
First, I have banned myself from Q-Ball's AAR; so I have no idea what he is up to at thi moment. I am wondering if he is trying to lure you into a trap though. Perhaps he is threatening multiple axes hoping you will drive south to meet him. Then he will land the additional divisions behind you. Just a thought
That occurred to me too, but it hasn't worked. Believing that I had to protect NW India above all else, I diverted some units from Chittagong, Calcutta, and Madras to Bombay, Surat, Ahmadenabad, and Karachi. If Brad's strategy was to threaten the NW so that I would weaken the south and east, it worked and he deserves a tip of the cap. But I'm prepared in the NW now and I prefer to fight in the S or NE.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Operation Eutaw Springs: The Allied effort to occupy, secure, and defend the islands of the Western Aleutians.
Operation Bemis Heights: The Allied effort to reinforce and successfully defend India.
Arrgh. Now I gotta go research again! Rev War battles are not my storng suit.
NE India: Japanese deliberate attacks at Diamond Harbor and Chittagong came off at less than 1:1 odds and failed to touch the forts (level three at each base). Since the Allied garrisons are overmatched at both bases, I expect them to fall, but the longer they hold, the better. A lightly defended Akyab falls to Japan.
South India: The Japanese took North Male Island, which will be a good seaplane base.
NW India: The British division landed at Karachi. Regular readers know that I've been sweating the safe arrival of this unit for weeks given the KB's prolonged presence just to the south, but everything worked out perfectly. One UK brigade remains at Karachi, one goes to Ahmadenabad, and one goes to Bombay. The recon unit goes to the little port across the bight from Surat.
Target Next?: Amphibious ships seem to be rounding the tip of India heading NW. We'll see where they go and how much they bring with them. Could be anything from supplies or reinforcements to the SW tip to a major invasion of the west coast.
Recapitulation of the Situation: All critical reinforcements due for Aden have now been safely transported to India. No further units of note are scheduled to arrive there for months. The next reinforcements arrive at Madras, Lahore, and a few other interior bases. Now it's time to see if I have enough to defend India, and whether Brad intends to bring enough to seriously threaten the sub-continent. Anything other than a total conquest of India will be an Allied victory, as far as I'm concerned. Given Scenario Two, I think Brad had the choice of taking New Zealand or giving Oz, India, or Hawaii his best shot at conquest. Only a success in achieving one of the latter three would represent a Japanese victory.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
LOL: Sorry, I can't help but laugh. The KB slipped inside my screen of picket ships undetected and closed on Karachi. There it picked off four empty xAK, put single torps into CLs Ceres and Sumatra, and two TT into CA Cornwall (these ships were heading to Karachi to protect transports unloading there, but were tardy in arriving). The four combat ships suffered no more than moderate damage. They are just two hexes from the "Aden channel," so I think they'll all make Abadan unless a sub or combat TF picks them off before they make the channel safely. What really makes me chuckle is the narrow window through which all all the juicy xAPs made it to Karachi, unloaded the UK division, and retired back into the Aden channel. I wonder if Brad has the feeling that he missed an opportunity here?
Japanese Divisions: SigInt says 18th Division is on the way to Chittagong. That's the sixth IJA division accounted for thus far (6th Guards in SW India; 4, 18 and 38 at Chittagong; and 2 and 21 at Diamond Harbor). In addition, during the invasion of Ceylon, 48th, 1st, and Imperial Guards took Colombo, so at least those three divisions are available for additional amphibious operations, but I'll double that and say that I have to be wary of maybe six more coming ashore. But it is noteworthy that five IJA divisions are committed to the NE corner of the country. Even had I vacated the region it would take awhile for those troops to move west. I think the Allies have enough in the Bombay, Surat, Ahmadebad, Karachi sector to handle even a fullscale commitment of six divisions to that sector. Of course, if Brad lands those unaccounted for divisions in south or NE India, the threat to my main sector decreases considerably and I can begin to move troops forward.
Tank Demolition: A Japanese tank unit that landed south of Vizagapetum moved south to occupy what seemed to be an empty Allied city. Just before the tanks arrived and crossed the river, an Indian division made it to the base. The Indians were still in strategic mode, but they tore apart the tanks, which had also suffered some losses to Allied air attack. This tank unit is just about toast, now - a first small Allied victory in Operation Bemis Heights (the defense of India).
NoPac: The Marines now have 142 AV ashore at Attu Island along with a Seabee unit. An ACM will arrive in a day or two.
SubWars: O21 clobbered I-122 off Ceylon, scoring with three torps.
Oz: Quiet here. 40th/C Division is heading for Perth. As stated previously, I don't want to reveal the presence of 1-and-1/3rd American divisions in Oz for security reasons, so they are posting at rear bases while the Australian troops begin to move forward to threaten Cooktown and Geraldton. SigInt says 146th Regiment occupies Daly Waters.
A Nod to Brad: It seems like I've been campaigning and fretting in India for, well, forever...but it's only been a little more than a month. Over about 35 days, Brad has conquered Ceylon and landed successfully at Cox's Bazaar, SW India, and south of Viz, and is in the process of landing successfully at Diamond Harbor and Chittagong. To counter that, the Allies don't have much to show other than getting the Brit division safely to Karachi, and, I think, establishing troop concentrations that will permit the Allies to effectively wage war in India. IE, I'm glad I don't have 1,000 AV in the Calcutta area while Brad was landing six divisions at an undefended Surat.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
The question is, has Brad noticed that the UK division is ashore ? If he doesn't know, it might pay off to keep them in reserve so KB will be committed to blockading Karachi a bit longer.
ORIGINAL: Smeulders
The question is, has Brad noticed that the UK division is ashore ? If he doesn't know, it might pay off to keep them in reserve so KB will be committed to blockading Karachi a bit longer.
Exactly! The three brigades are reinforcing important areas in the rear (Bombay, Ahmadebad, and Karachi, respectively).
What I don't know, but what I think is very possible, is that small things like this and the destruction of the IJA tank unit south of Viz can begin to create the appearance of problems - of things not going quite right - giving Brad a slowly growing sense of unease that might culminate in a bad case of the yips. Keeping units and carriers hidden will add to this effect...assuming it's happening, which I have no way of knowing.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
It is going to be interesting to watch this campaign develop. Once Q has enough airbases, I'm sure he'll turn over the air war to the IJAAF & use the KB to either support operations against Australia or any offensive moves by you in the Pacific. I don't know what British air replacements or reinforcements are like, but given that this is Scenario #2, I'm sure you will be overmatched for a while.
Of course, he still has to supply his troops - once the KB has left the area, his SLOC will be vulnerable again.
Never Underestimate the Power of a Small Tactical Nuclear Weapon...
In addition to positioning the KB "at map's edge" where it is a long way from the Pacific, Brad has a heck of alot of divisions committed to India. The logistics required to reposition them at some point in the future will be daunting. It would make no sense for him to just be going after NE India - if that's all he's doing he's way overcommitted. So I'm still thinking "watch out for NW India," and I'm glad so many divisions are committed so far away.
What do I do in the Pacific while the KB remains far, far away?
(1) The western Aleutians are now basically secure. I'll continue sending engineers and other support troops, and perhaps a small infantry unit now and then, but Operation Eutaw Springs has been most successful.
(2) An unrestricted USA infantry division (38?) arrives at San Fran pretty soon. I want to send it to Oz, but I'll consider Fiji.
(3) Additional support troops are on the way to Fiji, and a restricted Marine regiment at San Diego is prepping for Suva. But it'll be awhile yet before I have the necessary political points to send this unit forward.
(4) At San Diego, I have about 300 AV prepping for Baker Island. This will require a large expenditure of PP, but my current plan is to buy them next and to move on Baker Island if it remains lightly defended (there are currently two units there of unknown strength).
(5) By the time the KB returns to the Pacific, the time for a move on Oz, New Zealand, or Hawaii will have lapsed (not to mention a lack of available IJ troops). I do expect Brad to move on Midway and I'm still quite concerned about Fiji.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
nsiderably and I can begin to move troops forward.
Tank Demolition: A Japanese tank unit that landed south of Vizagapetum moved south to occupy what seemed to be an empty Allied city. Just before the tanks arrived and crossed the river, an Indian division made it to the base. The Indians were still in strategic mode, but they tore apart the tanks, which had also suffered some losses to Allied air attack. This tank unit is just about toast, now - a first small Allied victory in Operation Bemis Heights (the defense of India).
You probably saw it in your last game but I have noticed that now that my infantry units are upgrading to "43" squads and six pounders and 57mm AT guns the Japanese armor really becomes fairly useless. Course you have a way to go.
I wanted to see a major game with an invasion of India but I can now see how it just opens up Japan too much for counterblows in the Pacific. I think a quick grab and kill in Celyon is still a good idea but he really will be in no position to attack OZ in strength until 6/42 at best. And, 6/42 in Oz is too late to accomplish much.
put single torps into CLs Ceres and Sumatra, and two TT into CA Cornwall (these ships were heading to Karachi to protect transports unloading there, but were tardy in arriving). The four combat ships suffered no more than moderate damage.
Hmm . . . I count only three combat ships. Amusing to think that IRL, Cornwall was sunk by carrier aircraft not too far from that area. Kudos for surviving two torpedoes!
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
Capt Harlock: You caught me! It was indeed three, not four, combat ships tagged by the KB.
NE India: There was one troubling development on the 13th - Japanese paratroops took Comilla - a base on the road to the rear of Chittagong - despite the presence of defenders and two additional units set to arrive tomorrow. No, I didn't have any premonition of a para-assault. I was just preparing the next bump in the road. I'm pretty sure Brad's next attack at Chittagong will succeed, so my troops will find their best route of retreat severed. I'm sending additional troops to Comilla to try to evict the paratroops, but it's probably going to take too long to develop.
Calcutta and N India: The Allies have 600 AV and four forts here, but I won't take a chance on getting the garrison islolated. While I want to defend Calcutta, if necessary I'll pull back to a more cohesive line of defense. That line may be something stretching SW to NE from Bombay to Cawnpore.
South India: Brad is reinforcing his troops at the base south of Viz. No doubt he plans to exploit the empty spaces to the west. I want to establish some good road blocks, because 150 AV of reinforcements is due in Madras in about 17 days. I think I can accomplish that. SigInt says 19th Division is prepping for Madras, and 14th Division for Calcutta. Don't know anything about these units, yet, so I don't know if they are unrestricted.
W and NW India: So far no signs of a strong move in the "heartland." The KB has retired and is now SW of Goa.
China: Five IJA divisions (3, 34, 17, 27, and 36) pushed four Chinese units out of the forested hex east of Changsha. I'll have about 2500 AV behind 6 forts at Changsha, but I may need to bump that up a bit. Japan is also moving in the south, threatening to isolate Nanning.
SWPac: Quiet in Oz and NZ.
SoPac: Fiji is fully supplied for the first time in the game. Artillery and AA units are about to arrive, and a Marine regiment will arrive in a week or so.
CenPac: I'm thinking about withdrawing the base force at Midway and replacing it with an Army battalion or a Marine regiment. I want to maximize the AV while still remaining just under the garrison limit. I am nearly positive Midway will be Brad's first target when the KB returns to the Pacific.
NoPac: Additional support troops are on the way to various islands, the most significant being a good CD unit for Attu.
Sub Wars: I-26 got an empty xAK near San Diego. Allied subs continue to score hits with duds.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
By kami-time, are there enough aircraft to empty a Japanese general replacement pool and avoid the HI hit?
Number of aircraft is irrelevant, as you can pull as many pilots out of training school as you want independent of number of airframes.
Whether anyone would want to do all the clicking required is a different question. We play turn based strategy games for a reason [8|]
We now return you to your regularly scheduled AAR.
If you can do one more post on this, can you tell me how? Every day I have things I've missed in the interface and screens pointed out to me. Playing the Allies, the only way I can see to pull pilots out of school early is to put them into actual air units. There are group limits above the number of airframes where you can pull in extra pilots, but they're not infinite. More like 130% of allowed aircraft.
If I've missed a way to do what you say please let me know. I'm interested if I've missed something major.
You are correct that the pilot limit is about 133% of group size, but once you pull those pilots in you can transfer those pilots to general reserve. Pull another set of pilots, lather, rinse, and repeat. Unless there's an undocumented cap on general reserve, should work.
Not saying it would be fun or anyone would ever want to do it; however, the number of airframes (or groups) is not a limiting factor if someone wanted to deliberately empty their pilots-in-training, as you were suggesting might be a logical desire.
Certainly, there will come a point as Japan where I would like to empty the school (at worst, a year before the end of the game! and perhaps earlier) but I have a hard time imagining I would ever want to do this.
